Mid-MO Pridefest will mark 19 years in Columbia Saturday and Sunday with a larger-than-ever event at Rose Music Hall and surrounding streets of Park Avenue, Orr Street and St. James Street.
Need to know how to be ready for the festivities? The Tribune has answers.
When does PrideFest start?
PrideFest kicks off noon Saturday with an opening ceremony featuring similar speakers as in 2022, per the event description. This also is when the street fair opens to the public featuring upward of 200 vendors, including various food trucks. The street fair is open from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Is there a parade again this year?
Yes. This is the second year a Pride parade will happen in downtown Columbia. The parade starts noon Sunday, which also is when the street fair opens to the public at Rose Music Hall. PrideFest will stream the parade live on Facebook. The parade route starts at Armory Sports and Recreation Center at 701 E. Ash St. The route travels east to North Ninth Street, where it will turn south to reach Broadway. The parade will turn back west at Broadway and Ninth Street and will end at Fourth Street and Broadway.
What else is going on Saturday and Sunday?
The family area of PrideFest at 1056 Park Ave. will host Puppy Yoga noon to 1 p.m. Saturday. PrideFest guests also have an opportunity to meet an Arabian horse from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday in the family area thanks to the Central States Arabian Horse Association.
Orr Street Studios, at 106 St., all of PrideFest week has hosted Pride Vibes, an art exhibit. The exhibit will be open noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, featuring artworks from Kailyn Elonie, Ambrosia McCord, Christianne Benedict, Tracy Davis, Larry Kantner, Danielle Kilmer and Michelle Seat. The exhibit runs through Sept. 30.
Drag Story Hours are planned 2-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Saturday and 3-4 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Sunday in the Family area.
Those who think they can look like Mayor Barbara Buffaloe can participate in a lookalike contest 1 p.m. Sunday at the Rose Music Hall stage.
Miles High, PrideFest King, will host family yoga 2 p.m. Sunday from the family area.
What music acts are available Saturday and Sunday?
There are two locations for music and other acts during PrideFest. The main stage is at Rose Music Hall, while the Gay Music Stage is at 1023 E. Walnut St., Suite No. 7, supported separately by the North Village Arts District, Orr Street Studios, Fretboard Coffee and King Theodore Records.
Following opening ceremonies Saturday, The Quorus, Columbia’s community LGBTQ chorus, will share their talents at 1 p.m. from Rose Music Hall.
A string trio from the Missouri Symphony are set to perform 2 p.m. Saturday at Rose Music Hall.
Columbia band The Park will kick off their one-hour set at 3 p.m. Saturday from Rose Music Hall. The Kyren Penrose Band will perform at the same time from the Walnut Street location.
Drag entertainment network Divas by Design will perform 4 p.m. Saturday at Rose Music Hall. Liv Burney, lead of Columbia band Double Dare, will take the Walnut Street stage 5 p.m.
Columbia band Optimus Prime will hit the Rose Music Hall main stage 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Muse Pole Fitness will close out Saturday entertainment 10 p.m. at Rose Music Hall. Performers will showcase pole fitness, aerial hoop and other aerial arts.
Austin Jones is set to perform noon Sunday from the Walnut Street stage.
The Rose Music Hall stage will welcome Yuppy starting 3 p.m. Sunday. Nclusion+ will follow-up with its drag showcase starting 4 p.m. I.V. King will hit the stage at 5 p.m. and Soul Root starts its set 6:30 p.m.
Who are the PrideFest entertainment headliners?
Scarlet Envy will present a drag showcase 8 p.m. Saturday at Rose Music Hall. A ticketed meet-and-greet starts 7 p.m.
Kennedy Davenport will grace the Rose Music Hall stage 8 p.m. Sunday, closing out PrideFest activities. A ticketed meet-and-greet at 7 p.m. also is scheduled.
Rose Music Hall reaches capacity quickly for headline acts, so it is advised to show up early.
What is, isn’t allowed at PrideFest?
PrideFest is a free, family-friendly event in downtown Columbia and happens rain or shine. Events after 8 p.m. can be more adult oriented.
Security checks for guests will occur at the entrances to PrideFest and at Rose Music Hall Saturday and Sunday. Bags larger than 12x6x6 are not allowed inside the Rose Music Hall Grounds, but are allowed at the PrideFest street fair.
While Rose Music Hall is a cashless venue, street fair vendors may not be, so it is recommended to bring both cash and cards.
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Metered street parking is available throughout downtown Columbia and at garages at Eighth and Walnut, Eighth and Cherry, Sixth and Cherry, Tenth and Cherry, Fifth and Walnut and Short Street. Americans with Disabilities Act parking is available on Park Avenue near Rogers Street. A handicap permit is required.
Various food vendors are available within the PrideFest grounds. Outside food and drinks are not permitted.
It is recommended guests leave their pets at home, unless they are a service animal.
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Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.